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Lane County

Emergency Manager

Lane County, Los Angeles, California, United States

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Lead, Innovate, and Impact Lives -

Join Lane County in Shaping a Safer Tomorrow!

Application Review Date: February 2nd, 2026 Interviews Scheduled for: Week of February 9th, 2026 About the Position Lane County is seeking an experienced Emergency Program Manager to lead the County’s Office of Emergency Management during a time of increasing complexity, risk, and community need. This role operates in a highly collaborative environment, working closely with the County Administrator, Policy Director, Sheriff, County departments, other jurisdictions, and a complex network of public, private, and non-profit partners. This senior manager-level leadership role is responsible for the County’s comprehensive emergency management and disaster preparedness program - spanning mitigation, preparedness, and response. The Emergency Manager serves as the County’s primary emergency management authority, acts as Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Manager and may assume designated leadership roles within the Incident Command System, consistent with County authority and interagency agreements. The successful candidate will bring demonstrated emergency management expertise, proven people leadership, and the ability to operate calmly and decisively in high-stress, high-visibility environments. Success in this role requires leading complex teams through ambiguity, building trust across departments, jurisdictions, and partner organizations, and take accountability for outcomes. The Emergency Manager is expected to model mature judgment, transparent communication, and partnership-based leadership in both steady-state operations and crisis environments. Who We’re Looking For We are looking for a seasoned emergency management professional who: Has nine (9) years of progressively responsible education and/or experience in emergency management and disaster preparedness, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory, management, or leadership role Has led all-hazards emergency management programs, including planning, training, exercises, response coordination, and recovery Is an experienced people leader who can supervise, develop, coach, and hold staff accountable Can confidently make decisions under pressure, manage competing priorities, and communicate clearly with leadership, partners, and the public Understands the role of culture, equity, and trust in emergency response and community resilience Exercises independent judgment while maintaining close coordination and communication with County leadership. What This Role Does Key responsibilities include: Providing accountable, collaborative leadership across County departments, other jurisdictions, and public, private, non-profit, and governmental partners, including proactively addressing challenges, resolving conflicts, and ensuring alignment with County priorities Directing and budgeting countywide emergency management programs and initiatives Leading the development, maintenance, and implementation of critical plans (Emergency Operations Plan, Community Wildfire Protection Plan, Hazard Mitigation Plan) Coordinating training, exercises, and readiness activities for County staff and partners Overseeing emergency alerting and communications systems Serving as EOC Manager or Incident Commander during emergencies Supervising emergency management staff, including hiring, performance management, training, and corrective action Representing Lane County on regional, state, and intergovernmental committees Advising County leadership and the Board of Commissioners on risk, preparedness, and emergency management strategy Managing grants, budgets, reimbursements, and disaster cost recovery Monitoring and responding to regulatory, legal, and policy changes impacting emergency management Why This Role Matters Emergency management in Lane County is complex, collaborative, and consequential. Lane County serves more than 380,000 residents across urban, rural, and wildfire-prone communities, encompassing multiple municipalities, school districts, higher education institutions, and special districts. Effective emergency management here directly affects the safety, stability, and recovery of diverse communities across the county. This is a highly visible leadership role that operates under significant public, media, and political scrutiny, particularly during emergencies and disaster recovery efforts. The Emergency Manager must be comfortable communicating clearly, credibly, and calmly in complex, high-pressure situations where decisions and actions have broad community impact. This role is part of the Policy Division of County Administration, working alongside Housing, Climate Action, Community Resilience & Recovery, Economic Development, Grant Strategy Management, and Intergovernmental Relations - positioning emergency management as a core contributor to long-term community resilience, not just incident response. The Emergency Manager is expected to model Lane County’s Strategic Plan values: Passion to Serve • Driven to Connect • Focused on Solutions Why Apply This is an opportunity for a highly experienced emergency management leader to: Lead work that directly protects lives and critical services Shape countywide preparedness and resilience strategy Work with engaged partners and executive leadership Make a lasting impact in a mission-driven public service role

About the Division The Policy Division of County Administration advances high-priority quality of life issues for the residents of Lane County in support of County Administration, the departments of Lane County government, and partners in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. The Division includes Housing, Climate Action, Community Resilience and Recovery, Community & Economic Development, Grant Strategy Management, Intergovernmental Relations. and Emergency Management.

Schedule

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Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.

*Hybrid/telework may be available based on discussion with supervisor. *As needed during emergencies. *This is a non-represented position* Educa

tion, Experience & Special Requirements:

Nine years of education and/or experience in emergency management and disaster preparedness, including three years of experience in a supervisory, management, or leadership role; or a combination sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.

Licensing Requirements:

Possession of a current Oregon driver’s license. Preferred requirements: Licensure or certification related to the area assigned. Special Requirements: Incumbents may be subject to travel. Studies have shown that women and BIPOC individuals are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. The county will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.